NIWA seeks security for Lagos-Onitsha bound cargoes
By Eniola Idris
As the plans to commence the second batch of shipment of cargoes from Lagos Ports to Onitsha River Port by barges reaches advance stage, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), has sought security of the consignments on waters.
The Managing Director of NIWA, George Moghalu paid a working visit to the Acting Inspector General of the Police (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba at the force’s headquarters in Abuja, splicing for support on protection of cargo movement by barges.
Moghalu seeks the collaboration and cooperation of the police in providing adequate security for the second test-run of cargo shipments from Lagos to Onitsha River Port in a bid to decongest the Lagos Ports.
He said: “the purpose of our visit is to seek for collaboration and cooperation of the police force to build a synergy in our inland waterways operations, most importantly now that we are about to commence the second phase of the test-run of shipping cargoes from Lagos to Onitsha.”
The NIWA boss also said that “NIWA is a Federal agency saddled with the responsibility of regulating and developing activities on the Inland waterways of the nation with a headquarter in Lokoja, Kogi State. We have 22 area offices across the nation and waterways links across 28 states in the federation.”
He added that “statistics have shown that about sixty percent of cargoes coming into Nigerian Ports are destined to the South East of the country.”
Moghalu thanked the IG for the kind cooperation the force has been rendering to NIWA Inland Police Command, and also appealed for more cooperation in some areas of challenges the Authority is facing such as; lack of gun boats, accoutrement and anti-riot equipments.
He also complained that the IG should help vacate some police officials illegally occupying some of the organization’s premises which is by law under NIWA’s right of way at Onitsha Area Office; so that the Authority could make better use of the place.
The Acting IG of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, stated that: “We have a very good and cordial working relationship with NIWA and we recognize the kind cooperation that NIWA is rendering to the inland and marine police, though we need improvements in the areas.”
He also said “to have gun boats is capital intensive but the force will look for a way on how to support NIWA in its areas of operations.”
The IG disclosed that he was once the head of the marine police when he was an AIG, so, that made him to know much about NIWA and all operations and activities in the maritime sector.
He however promised to sustain the good working relationship with NIWA in all it’s areas of operations. And also to provide the organisation with every support where necessary.
